Abstract

Glaucoma leads to blindness but there are diagnostic and therapeutic developments that aid ophthalmologists in the improved mangement of the disease compared to the past. Known risk factors such as age, myopia, dark pigmented skin, genetics, and elevated intraocular pressure play an important role for the individual patientʼs prognosis, and many yet unknown or not sufficiently investigated risk factors come along. The structured examination of the optic nerve head is crucial for the clincial diagnosis by the ophthalmologist. At least a photo documentation – better imaging of the optic nerve head and its retinal nerve fibers – should be performed in newly diagnosed suspect glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Visual field testing is just as important and it is recommended to perform 6 visual fields in the first two years after diagnosis. Treatment principles are evolving and minimally invasive surgery techniques are upcoming. However, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C is still superior regarding long-term results compared to microstents and minimal shunt procedures.